The May Update
Monthly Update
May 24, 2024
Summertime is finally here, friends of Easy Does It, here is the latest news that we want to share about our work in May,
With June 28th fast approaching, we are excited to announce Easy Does It Day for 2024: Champions of Change, another free lunch, and a Bingo Match at the North Berkeley Senior Center to celebrate another year of helping our clients live as they choose. This is one of many community events over the summer, where we will be handing out our brand-new line of merch for 2024. In May, we also attended multiple RCD Housing Resource Fairs and have opted to end our Bi-Annual Community Meetings. Finally, we have resources to share from The Homeless Action Center, Berkeley Ready, and the Ecology Center.
Easy Does It Day 2024: Champions of Change
We are extremely excited to announce Easy Does It Day 2024: Champions of Change. In 1994, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates declared June 28th a City Holiday to honor Easy Does It and the important work it does for the Community. But our work would not be possible without the community's support, so last year, we decided to thank everyone for empowering us to help seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes.
We are also introducing a theme for the event, Champions of Change. Thanks to the tireless dedication of our team, leadership, and most importantly you. Easy Does It has been able to improve upon the ways we can provide our emergency services. So, you are welcome to join us on June 28th to celebrate another year of championing change within the independent living movement. We look forward to sharing more details about the event as the date draws closer.
Event Page and Free Tickets go live June 1rst
The Summer of Outreach Begins at the Oakland Carnival
Our favorite time of year is finally upon us. Throughout the summer months, there is a wealth of community events, which enable us to connect with our community, and to get the word out about our emergency support services. Starting in June, we will be tabling at many resource fairs and festivals in order to connect Alameda County residents with our program of safety net support services. On top of our usual appearances at the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival, USOAC’s Convention, and SAHA’s Field Day. We are excited to be adding Resource Fairs, BBQs, and another appearance at Oakland First Fridays to our schedule.
It is going to be an incredibly busy Summer and we could not be more excited to get out there and empower more Alameda County Residents to live as they choose. It all begins with the Oakland Carnival on June 1rst, we look forward to seeing you there. Check our events page to see everywhere we'll be this Summer so you can visit our booth.
Our EventsOur 2024 Merch Lineup
The Summer of Outreach would not be complete without plenty of free merch to hand out to attendees. Last year, we introduced tons of new free gifts to reward patrons for attending our booth. This year, we are pleased to be able to offer you a few new reasons to stop by. Our Tote Bags have received a refresh, they feature a new vibrant color palette and are made with cotton to offset our environmental impact. At the request of our clients, we will have stickers with our contact information designed to fit on most power chair joysticks, with plenty of bumper stickers to match. Finally, brand new Easy Does It LED keychain flashlights make inspecting your power chair for issues effortless. So be sure you visit our booth this summer, there are now even more reasons to do so.
Connecting with RCD Housing’s Residents
We have had a wonderful time connecting with RCD Housing’s Residents at the multiple Resource Fair’s they are hosting to ensure their residents are aware of the many resources available to them as Berkeley Residents. We were one of several local nonprofits given the opportunity to present our program, answer any questions their residents had, and get those who are eligible to sign up for our program. We look forward to their final fair of the year on May 30th.
Dr. Victor Pineda: Championing Independence and Inclusion
Dr. Victor Pineda, a visionary leader in disability rights and accessibility, has taken the helm as the Executive Director of The Center for Independent Living Berkeley. With a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering individuals with disabilities, Dr. Pineda brings fresh energy and innovative ideas to the organization.
Under Dr. Pineda’s leadership, The Center for Independent Living Berkeley is poised to expand its impact. From advocating for accessible public transportation to promoting employment opportunities, Dr. Pineda envisions a future where people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of society. His collaborative approach and unwavering dedication make him a beacon of hope for those seeking independence and inclusion.
Welcome, Dr. Victor Pineda, to this vital role. Your expertise and passion will undoubtedly shape a more accessible and equitable world for all.
Berkeley Rides for Seniors and the Disabled (BRSD)
Berkeley Rides for Seniors & the Disabled (BRSD) assists City of Berkeley seniors and disabled adults with traveling throughout Berkeley and neighboring cities by supplementing their transportation costs with free taxi, accessible wheelchair van and GoGoGrandparent (Uber/Lyft) rides. BRSD is for Berkeley residents age 70 and older or those certified as disabled by East Bay Para-transit of ANY age. For more information and an application, please visit their website or call their offices,
Visit Website
(510) 981-7269
Community Resources
Homeless Action Center
Founded in 1990, the mission of the Homeless Action Center is to provide high-quality public benefits advocacy for free to unhoused and disabled residents of Alameda County. HAC’s vision is a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, everyone receives determined and rigorous pursuit of their legal rights, and basic needs such as housing and health care are recognized both as individual rights and community obligations.
View WebsiteEast Bay Green Home Tour
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 10 am–4 pm
Did you know that more than a third of Berkeley’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings? With a growing list of incentives from legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, there is no better time to reduce your climate impacts at home.
While it can be tricky navigating contractors and incentives to make your home climate-ready and climate-friendly, you do not have to do it alone. On Saturday, June 1, the East Bay Green Home Tour is back—this time with both virtual and in-person programming. This free annual event features resources for homeowners and renters, as well as live Q&A. Mark your calendar now, and join us in June to get inspiration and advice from your neighbors on topics ranging from solar storage to greywater!